Here are a few things to think about when planning your own life or when planning with someone else. Start by listening to the person about how they want to plan and recognize it looks different for everyone. Whether you are planning for something big or small in your life, it is important to feel informed, comfortable, and safe to make plans and decisions. Anytime you are planning, or are in the role of facilitating a person’s Individual Support Planning (ISP) meeting, taking time to understand a person’s preferences and needs in each of these areas can help ensure we are listening to and supporting how someone wants to plan.
When
Ask the person what time of day they would want to meet. Some people would pick the morning time, others want the afternoon or evening. If they do prefer mornings, then ask what time in the morning- be specific about that. Also consider the day of the week and time of year.
Amber is a mother of two school-age children. She finds it easiest to plan when the kids are at school. She prefers meeting in the morning, after she has had her coffee.
David lost his father three years ago in the late fall. He and his family are still getting used to the holidays without his father; this is a very challenging time of year for them. They do not want to plan in November, December, or January.
Where
When working on a plan with a person, consider what will make that person comfortable while planning. Ask the person where they might want to have the planning meeting. Would they want to have it done at home, work, or in the park? Where is the person most comfortable to have more personal or private conversations, if needed? Prioritizing accessible environments is important for anyone who uses mobility supports.
Joanne feels more comfortable talking about the future when she’s doing something active. Joanne meets at the park with her PA so that they can walk and talk together.
Dexter doesn’t want to travel to meet up with their support team and also doesn’t want to have multiple people inside their home at once. Dexter prefers to hang out on their back patio when planning with others.
With Whom
Check in and learn who the person wants to have involved in their planning and at what times. There are some people I know who will not talk about personal things in front of their family members, but they will talk about it with their Services Coordinator. Schedule separate meetings, if needed, to prioritize the person’s comfort and consider power dynamics among the team to ensure the person is empowered and supported in their decision-making while planning.
Madeline prefers to dream big with a big team- wanting to discuss desired outcomes with many friends, family members, and supporters. Other conversations, especially related to health, happen with a smaller group.
Danica prefers to have meetings with their partner and Personal Agent separate from their parents as they discuss their relationship, sex, and family planning.
Preferences
Learn what kind of things or items they want to have around them and don’t want around them such as: pets, toys for children/siblings, food/drinks, fidgets, note taking materials etc. Another example is if a person has an allergy, like I do to Latex, I make sure nobody brings anything around me made with rubber or Latex. Does the person have supports, while planning, to help with sensory, hearing or vision needs, and communication supports? Can we create agreements before the meeting, such as topics are off the table or how decisions will be made? If approaching a sensitive topic, ask the person for permission to discuss the topic with them and let them know they can take a break from the conversation or end it at any time. Consider supports that can help the person feel more comfortable and create a safe space for the conversation to happen.
Abebe has his ISP meeting at a park so he and all his cousins can play when he wants to take a break from the meeting. Abebe’s parents bring a lot of food, and they start the meeting by sharing updates about Abebe’s past year and highlighting the fun things he did and learned.
Erika likes it when her Services Coordinator draws and writes down information as it is shared. She always asks to hang up the posters on her bedroom wall.
Erika uses a communication device, which supporters help to make sure is charged and available for every meeting.
Accommodations
Always consider what accommodations the person or people they invite to plan may need. Accommodations can really be anything that helps a person feel calm, comfortable, and engaged during planning. For example, when planning with people of diverse backgrounds, there may be a need for an interpreter or translation services so the person and others can meaningfully engage. Does the person want someone to take notes or write ideas down as they are saying it? Do they need large print materials, music playing in the background, having their pet with them, shorter meetings vs. one long meeting, Braille, frequent breaks, etc.?
Joon’s parents realized that using Zoom meetings has helped with her social anxiety. Her Services Coordinator has found that he has been able to learn more about Joon and noticed she’s been more active and engaged in conversations, which has opened up more opportunities to get to know her.
Leyla is someone who needs to process information internally, and have time to collect her thoughts. Her Personal Agent sends out the meeting agenda at least two weeks ahead of time, and talks to Leyla over the phone a week before the meeting. During these phone calls, Leyla is able to request changes to the agenda and talk through her initial planning ideas.
About the Author
Jen DiBello has been with the OTAC program for 25 years. During this time, she has worked as a trainer and administrative assistant with the Oregon ISP team, as well as the Safety Committee leader. Jen recently became a Charting the LifeCourse™ Ambassador and is a credentialed People Planning Together trainer.